The latest episode of South Park has been delayed just hours before it was scheduled to air.
Today’s episode (September 18), was eagerly anticipated for a number of reasons – the main one being that it would’ve been the first episode to air since conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was murdered last week (September 10).
According to a statement posted on social media, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone explained that the 11th-hour delay is their own fault: “Apparently when you do everything at the last minute sometimes you don’t get it done. This one’s on us. We didn’t get it done in time. Thanks to Comedy Central and South Park fans for being so understanding. Tune in next week!”
The delay marks only the second time in South Park‘s lengthy run that an episode has missed its production schedule – the first time took place in 2013 due to a power outage.
While no details were revealed about what today’s episode was going to entailed, fans on social media have speculated that it would have involved Charlie Kirk in some fashion. One commenter on Instagram wrote: “I am guessing Cartman was going to reappear as Kirk and they have to axe the entire planned storyline”.
Others wrote: “It was definitely finished. Just not allowed to air”, “100% positive that Charlie Kirk was supposed to be in this episode” and “I know this has something to do with Charlie Kirk but I can’t prove it.”
Following the fatal shooting of Kirk last week, the August 6 episode of South Park was pulled from re-run schedules. That episode saw the character Eric Cartman becoming a conservative commentator who debates students on colleges, mimicking Kirk’s hairstyle and mannerisms. The episode also featured a prize called the Charlie Kirk Award for Young Masterdebaters.
MAGA supporters have also blamed the show for Kirk’s shooting, with some suggesting the August 6 episode directly influenced the shooter’s actions. Currently, there is no evidence to suggest the shooting was motivated by the episode.
“Trey Parker and Matt Stone have blood on their hands. Remove South Park from all streaming services” wrote one person, while another added: “South Park certainly fomented the hatred necessary to get Kirk assassinated.”
Season 27 of the show has aimed the majority of its jokes at the Trump administration, depicting the US President as being in a relationship with Satan and also having a micro penis.
The White House has previously condemned the depiction of President Trump and his allies in a statement, remarking that the show “hasn’t been relevant for over 20 years.” The show’s creators responded with a mocking apology at San Diego Comic Con in late July.
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